Compressor



I Sept. 3, 1940. R. LAMBERTON COMPRESSOR Filed April 30, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet l a awe wamww 1 m I Z D H Sept. 3, 1940.

R. E. LAMBERTON 2,213,258

COMPRESSOR Filed April 30, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 [22%6222042 EL df/ZZEZZOiZ 3y 7 304.3 "WM v R. E. LAMBERTON COIPRESSOR Filed April 30, 1937 Sept. 3, 1940.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 [22216222022- fl ZvizELmZMm Patent ed Sept. 3,1940 Q I I "UNITED srArEs PATENT OFVFIC-E' COMPRESSOR Ralph E. Lamberton, Michigan City, Ind., assigna .or to Sullivan Machinery Company, a. corporation 01' Massachusetts Application April 30, 1937, Serial No. 140,031

13 Claims. (Cl. 230-231) My' invention relates to pumps or compressors, valve mechanism, the plane of the section biand more particularly to compressors for air or secting the inlet and discharge connections; other gaseous fluids. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section, looking down- In the design of air compressors it is importwardly, on the plane of the section line 22 of ant to provide for efiicient cooling, smooth air Fig. 1;. 5 flow, adequate air passageways, freedom from Fig. 31s a horizontal section, looking upwardly, leakage, security against distortion as the parts on the planes of the section line 3-3 of Fig. 1, heat up in operation, accessibility to the valves showing the lower face of the valve cage elewithout disconnecting piping, convenient but efment which provides the inlet valve seat and fectiv'e valve assemblies, and other features of the discharge valve guard; and further showing sound design, and in the attainment of certain a portion of the discharge passage; of these desiderata, loss of others is frequently Fig. 4 is a horizontal section, looking downencountered in actual practice. wardly, on the plane of the section line 44 of w It is an object of my invention to provide an Fig. 1,'showing a section through the cylinder at improved pump or compressor. It is another oba point below the location of the valv'edevices ject of my invention to provide an improved therein and illustrating details of the discharge cylinder and head construction for a pump or passages; I compressor. It is a further object of my inven- Fig. 51s a view from above, of the lower plate of tion to provide an improved valve mechanism for the valve mechanism;

0 a pump or compressor. More specifically, it is an Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the top part of the go object of my invention to provide an improved pump cylinder and head, viewed from the intake pump or compressor design in which the ,portion side; of a pump cylinder or cylinders adjacent which Fig. '7 is a radial section on an enlarged scale the piston travels shall be free from bosses which through the inlet and discharge valves, showing may tend to cause distortion and oil pumping, in details of construction;

which inlet and discharge connections shall not Fig. 8 is an elevation of the head element have to be disturbed to remove the valves, in proper, with the same removed from the cylinwhichthe cylinder or cylinders shall extend up der, and far enough above the upper limit of piston travel Fig. 9 is a detail fragmentary section on a.

to provide an adequate recess for valve seats plane corresponding to the line 99 of Fig. 3, 30

and cages, suiiicient area for air passages, and showing the mode of valve guiding. appropriate connections for the air inlet and dis- Referring to the drawings, and first to Fig. 1 of charge connections. Again, it is an object ofrmy the latter, it will be noted that a cylinder meminvention to provide an improved pump or comber l, of which o y e uppe Portion ShOWIl.

pressor design in which the flow-passages may provides a bore 2 in which a piston 3 is recipro- 35 be made of large area and be streamlined to cable; and, above the upper limit of piston travel, promote smooth and unimpeded flow. Further, is provided with an enlarged bore 4 coaxial with it is an object of the invention to provide an imthe cylinder bore 2 and opening through the proved design'partic'ularly, but of course not soletop of the cylinder member. Within the enlarged 40 ly, adapted to compression stages above the first, bore 4 is housed a composite inlet and discharge 40 in which sealing at the necessary points may be valve mechanism generally designated 5 and effected readily but surely and yet without comlater more fully described, this resting upon a 'plication of "design. And another object of the gasket 6 which is supported by the plane aninvention is so to relate the unloading mechanular shoulder 1 extending inwardly from the nism to the other parts of the cylinder and valve lower end of the wall of the enlarged bore 4 to 45 mechanism that air' flow will be unimpeded the upper. end of the counter-bore 8 which lies thereby during normal loaded operation. Other at the extreme upper end of the cylinder bore 2. objects and advantages of the invention will here- A cylinder head element 9 extends for most of inafter more fully appean. its length into the enlarged bore 4 and has a In the accompanying drawings, in which one radial peripheral flange III which overlies thego embodiment which my invention may assume in top of the cylinder member I outside the enpractice has been shown for purposes of illustralarged bore 4. There is a sealing gasket l I betion, tween this flange and the outer end of the cylin- Fig. 1 is a central vertical section through the der member I.

top of a compressor cylinder, cylinder head, and' The shoulder I is provided with an annular 55 groove l3 substantially midway between its sides which communicates with a series of arcuate pasto facilitate the flow through the passages I4 towards the discharge connection Ila-separate the passages l4 from each other. It will be noted that the discharge connection |6 is arranged in the portion of the cylinder member i which lies at the outer end of the latter, and that the valve mechanism 5 and head proper 9 can be removed from the cylinder without affecting the discharge connection or any piping connected to the latter by means engaging in the threaded holes of which one is shown at H. It will be observed, moreover, that with uniform fluid discharge through the passages l4 there will be a smooth and unrestricted delivery of fluid to the discharge l3 due to the vaning effect of the webs l1 and the radial and axial increase in dimension of the discharge passages |5 and I5 A web l9 may be provided adjacent the discharge opening to direct the oppositely moving streams of fluid from the passages I5 and l5 without substantial counterflow into the discharge opening.

An intake connection 2|, herein shown as equipped with an air cleaner, is arranged on the cylinder member I, herein diametrically opposite the discharge opening l5, and-is provided with branches 2| and 2| extending oppositely arcuately for a substantial distance around and in communication with the enlarged bore 4. A streamlined web 22 splits the inflowing fluid.

Deferring for a short time longer the description of the valve mechanism 5 which lies between the head member 3 and the cylinder bore 2, it may be noted that the cylinder head 9 is divided by a curved wall 24 into a generally crescent-shaped chamber 25 having an open top and a closed bottom and acting both to increase the radiation and as a means of reducing heat transfer to incoming air, and a fluid inlet passage 26 having an upper wall 21 and a ported lower wall 23, each of said walls recessed to provide a central pocket, as at 29 and 30 respectively, to reduce the metal in heat-insulating characteristics of the head. The head 3 is open laterally opposite the passage portions 2| and 2|, to provide for inlet into the fluid inlet passage 25, and the bottom of the head is provided with a series of openings 3| in a generally annular arrangement to the outside of and surrounding the pocket 30, these openings connecting the inlet passage 26 with inlet ports in the valve mechanism 5, as will now be shortly described. A rib 32 is formed in the head opposite the rib 22 and is streamlined with the latter, and a pair of streamlined spacing ribs 33 and a dividing rib 34 connect the upper and lower walls ofthe inlet passage. The bottom wall of the head 3 is elevated at its central portion 28 above the pocket 30 and within the zone surrounded by the annularly arranged series of ports 3|. The ribs 22 and 32 split the entering air stream, and the divided streams are again divided by the ribs 33, so that portions of each the head and to improve the stream enter the port 3| nearest the inlet connection, and larger portions, including ,portions which pass between ribs 33 and over the wall portion 23', enter the ports 3| which lie outside the ribs 33 and which are separated by the dividing rib 34. It may be noted that the wall and rib conformation provides for a smooth flow to the passages or ports 3|, with flow areas proportioned at diflerent points to the volume of fluid to be accommodated.

The valve mechanism 5 may now be described. This comprises a relatively thick, circular upper plate or block 35 and a relatively thin lower plate 36. The upper plate 35 provides a seat for an inlet valve and a guard for a discharge valve. The lower plate 35 provides a guard for an inlet valve and a seat for a discharge valve. The inlet valve mechanism is arranged to the inside, radially speaking, of the discharge valve, and herein single annular-type valves are shown for purposes of illustration. -.The plate 35'is traversed by an annularly arranged series of ports 31, separated from each other by bridges or ribs 38, of which there are three shown in this embodiment. The ports 3| heretofore described communicate with the upper ends of the ports 31. At their lower ends the ports 31 open through an annular valve seat area 39, comprising portions 39 and 39 respectively at opposite sides of the ports 31. An annular inlet valve 40 is adapted to seat upon theseat areas mentioned and is herein pressed towards its seat by an annular flexed spring 4|, herein of the multiple-unit, laminated type, received in a groove 42 in the upper face of the plate 38. Plate 33 is traversed by radially-spaced series of annularly-arranged, arcuate inlet passages 43 and 44 respectively opening at their inner and outer edges into the groove 42. Ribs 45 and 46 divide the several passages 43 and 44 from each other and either or both sets of ribs may constitute guides for the inlet valve 40 and the valve spring or springs 4|. Herein the ribs 45 are the only ones which so function, ribs 46 being cut back and the valve and spring being guided at their outer peripheries only.

The plate 35, to the outside of the ports 43, is provided with a generally annular groove 48 opening through its lower surface and herein subdivided partially by six radially extending ribs 43 which support an annular valve guard and passage forming member or portion 50 in spaced relation from the sides and bottom (top, as arranged) of the groove 48. As shown best in Fig. 9, the ribs 43 are cut away as at 5| and member 50 is recessed as at 52 to provide a complete annular groove to receive a discharge valve 53, an annular spring 54 and a spring-abutment plate 55. The plate 55 engages an annular surface 56 on the ribs and member 50, and rightangularly arranged surfaces 51 on the ribs center the plate 55 and the spring 54 and valve 53. The plate 36 is traversed by an annular series of ports 60 communicating at their lower ends with the cylinder bore 2 at the outer periphery of the latter and opening at their upper ends through a valve seat surface 5| with which the valve 53 cooperates. Outside of the ports 50 the plate 35 is traversed by still another annular series of arcuate ports 82, opening at their lower ends into the annular groove i3 and communicating at their upper ends with the outer portions of the annular groove 48. It will be evident that the construction described permits discharge of fluid passing to the inside of the discharge valve Dowels 61 mounted in holes 68 and 69 respectively .01 head 9 maintain the the inlet valve.

formed in the top of plate 35 and in the bottom desired relation between the valve mechanism and. the head. As above noted, the gasket. ll seals the head and the top of the cylinder member and so prevents leakage if the cylinder be a highpressure one. The ground plane surfaces of the plates 35 and 36, pressed together by the screws 65, preclude leakage between the inlet and discharge. As noted also, the discharge valve seat member 36 rests upon a gasket 6, and set screws 10 mounted in the head '9 press upon' the top of member 35 and so hold the discharge valve seat tight on the gasket. This prevents cylinder discharge pressure from leaking back into the cylinder and into the inlet passage; The set screws 10 are capped with solid nuts H and provided with gaskets 12 to prevent inlet pressure, if this be above atmospheric, as in a high pressure cylinder,

leaking to atmosphere.

Unloading means cooperating with the inlet valves is provided. This is generally designated 15 and includes an actuating piston 16 movable in a cylinder 11 mounted on the top of the head 9 by means of a mounting plate 18, held to the head by screws 19 and to which the cylinder I1 is held by screws 80. Double packings 8| and 82 prevent respectively leakage from the cylinder 11 to the inlet space of the pump and leakage of pressure from the inlet space of the cylinder I, when the latter is used as a high pressure cylinder, to the cylinder 17. 84 in the top thereof beneath the plate 18, which has a gasket 85 between it and the head 9 to prevent leakage, and chamber 84 receives the actuating plate 87 for three fingers 88 which pass through openings 89 in the ribs 33 and 34 and openings 90 in the plate 35, in the ribs 38 of the latter, into a position to engage and force open A connection 9|, controllable by any suitable pilot mechanism (not shown) conducts operating fluid to and from the cylinder 11, and a spring 92, herein shown as a transversely flexed wafer or ribbon spring acts between the bottom of the plate 81 and the top of the head 9, within the recess 84 in the latter. The operating fingers 88 are entirely shrouded by the streamlined ribs or bosses in the head and by the ribs in plate 35 except at their tip ends,

at which points it may-be noted they extend in' the same direction as the fluid stream passing between the passage 26 and the cylinder 2.

It will be obvious how the device described operates. Upon the downward or suction strokes of the piston 3 air or other fluid being pumped will flow from passage 2| to passages 2 I and 2| through passages 3|, past the inlet valve 40 and through the passages or ports 43 and 44 into the cylinder. Upon the compression strokes of the piston the fluid will be discharged through the ports 60, past the valve 53, through the passages 63 and 64, ports 62, groove 13, passages l4, passages -l5 and l5 and to the discharge I6. When operating fluid is supplied to cylinder 11, piston the transfer Head 9 has a chamber.

16 will cause fingers 88 to open, and maintain open the inlet valve 48, and the air or other fluid will flow backand forth between the cylinder bore and the inlet space.

It will be evident that a very effective pump is provided by the apparatus'described. ,'While the valve cage elements pieces, they are held in the proper relation to each other and to the head as above described and the composite structure provides smooth,

uninterrupted streamline air passages both for 35 and 36 are separateentering andfor discharging air. All screws are enclosed in or covered by streamline bosses, and the unloading fingers project only slightly 1 into the air passages and then only in the direction of flowl' The various ribs are directed in the pecially the space 25, prevent to a large degree of heat from discharging to incoming .air. Moreover, therisk of leakage between spaces tained simple. Other advantages of-the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specifically described one embodiment which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this embodiment of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, in apump, a cylinder memher having a bore in which a piston is reciprocable and, in alinement and communication with said cylinder bore, an enlarged bore, fluid intake and discharge connections opening into said enlarged 2.- In combination, in a pump, a cylinder mem-. ber having a bore in which a piston is reciprocable and, in alinement with said cylinder here,

an enlarged bore, an intake connection opening into the side of said enlarged bore, a discharge connection opening into the bottom of said enlarged bore, a valvemechanism including inlet of said valve mechin said head con and discharge valves in said enlarged bore, means for connecting the inlet valve with said, intake connection, and means formed in said valve mechanism for connecting the discharge valve with said discharge connection.

3. In combination, ina pump, a cylinder member having a bore in whicha piston is reciprocable and, in alinement with' said cylinder bore, an enlarged bore, an intake connection opening into the side of said enlarged bore, a dischargeconection opening into the bottom of said enlarged bore, a valve mechanism including inlet and discharge valves in said enlarged bore, means for connecting the inlet valve with said intake connection, and passage means formed in said valve mechanism for connecting the discharge valve with said discharge connection, said first mentioned means including a cylinder head supported within said enlarged bore independently of said valve mechanism and having inlet passages formed therein.

4. In combination, in a pump, a cylinder member having a bore in which a piston is reciprocable and, in alinement with said cylinder bore .an enlarged bore, intake and discharge connections openings respectively into said enlarged bore through different walls thereof, and inlet and discharge valve devices in said enlarged bore having connections with the points of communication of said intake and discharge connections with said enlarged bore, one of said connections provided by a cylinder head portion receivable in said enlarged bore and the other independent of said head.

5. In combination, in a pump, a cylinder member having a bore in which a piston is reciprocable and, in alinement with said cylinder bore, an enlarged bore, said cylinder member providing an annular shoulder at the junction of said bores and an annular surface surrounding the mouth of said enlarged bore, a unitary, self-contained, composite inlet and discharge valve mechanism seating on said shoulder, a head having a portion seating on said annular surface, means for clamping said head to said annular surface, sealing means at said annular surface, and means extending through said pressing said composite valve means with undivided pressure against said shoulder.

6. In combintion, in a pump, a cylinder memher having a bore in which a piston is reciprocable and, in alinement with said cylinder bore, an enlarged bore, said cylinder member providing an annular shoulder at the junction of said bores and an annular surface surrounding the mouth of said enlarged bore, combined inlet and discharge valve mechanisms seating on said shoulder, a head having a portion seating on said annular surface, sealing face clamped between the same and said portion, means extending through said head ior pressing said composite valve means towards said shoulder, sealing means between said valve means and said shoulder, flow passage means for one of said valve mechanisms opening through said shoulder, and -flow passage means for the other valve mechanism passing through said head and through said cylinder member at a point between said two sealing means. I

7. In combination, in a valve mechanism, a pair of plate members clamped together, each of which provides an annular valve seat and a valve guard, annular inlet and discharge valves each seating on the seat provided by one plate and guarded by the guard on the other, and means on said plates, including flow-reversing passage means on one of said plates, for delivering the fluid which flows past both of said valves through the outer surface of one of said plates.

8. In combination, in a valve mechanism, a pair of plates, an annular guard afforded by one of said plates and an annular valve seat afforded by the other, ports passing through the latter plate and opening through said seat, a valve coacting with said seat, a concentric series of ports head for contacting and means at said annular surv in said latter plate, and means contained within said guard-affording plate for conducting fluid passing said valve to said concentric series of ports.

9. In combination, in a valve mechanism, a pair of plates, an annular guard aiIorded by one 01 said plates and an annular valve seat afforded by the other, ports passing through the latter plate and opening through said seat, a valve coacting with said seat, a concentric series of ports in said latter plate forming a ring around said annular valve seat, and smooth, continuously curved fluid-directing means within said guardaffording plate for conducting fluid passing said valve to said concentric series of ports.

10. In combination, in a pump, a cylinder member providing a cylinder bore and an enlarged coaxial bore with a shoulder at the junction of said bores, valve mechanism seated on said shoulder, 8. head having a sealed attachment to said cylinder member at the outer end of the latter, an inlet passage in said cylinder member opening into said enlarged bore, a coasting inlet passage in said head, an inlet passage in said valve mechanism connecting with-the inlet passage in said head, means for holding said valve mechanism in position to aline theinlet passagein said valve with the inlet passage in said head but permitting axial movement of said valve mechanism relative to said head, means extending through said head for forcing said valve mechanism against said shoulder, and means for sealing said forcing means against leakage along the same through said head.

11. In combination, in a pump, a cylinder member providing a cylinder bore and an enlarged coaxial bore with a shoulder at the junction of said bores, valve mechanism for said cylinder including a discharge valve having a guard member and a seat-providing member, the latter mounted on said shoulder and providing an annular series of ports concentric with the cylinder bore, and means formed wholly in said members and including a passageof increasing cross-section surrounding'said enlarged bore, for deliver ing fluid traversing said ports.

12. In combination, in a pump, a cylinder member providing a cylinder bore and an enlarged coaxial here with a shoulder at the junction of said bores, valve mechanism for said cylinder including a discharge valve having a guard member and a seat-providing member, the latter mounted on said shoulder and providing an annular series of ports concentric with the cylinder bore, and means formed wholly in said members and including smooth, continuously curved radial passages surrounding said cylinder bore for delivering fluid traversing said ports.

13. In combination, in a pump, a cylinder member providing a cylinder bore and an enlarged coaxial bore with a shoulder at the junction of said bores, valve mechanism for said cylinder including a discharge valve having a. guard member and a seat-providing member, the latter mounted on said shoulder and providing an annular series of ports concentric with the cylinder bore, and means formed wholly in said members and including a passage of increasing cross-section surrounding said enlarged bore, and radial passages surrounding said cylinder bore, for delivering fluid traversing said ports.

I RALPH E. LAMBERTON. 

